Anyone have a cheap 55g or can I use a reptile tank?

[DamnPepShrimp]

I have a 55g that housed reptiles (actually alligators) and it was setup as a QT tank at one point for saltwater fish, but if I clean it out real good, could I use it? What should I clean it with? Clear vinegar? I need a bigger sump ASAP as in tomorrow (tuesday, 2/19/08). I had major problems adding corals/rock to my tank tonight and short circuited my timer/surge protecter. Now I am going to have to buy a new one at petco and I need a bigger sump to make a skimmer area, refugium and return area. Or does anyone have a cheap 55g tank that I could buy?

 

[emonemo420]

from the way i understood it if u just clean out it real well ...prolly vingar to start then clean it out with just tap water a few good times u should be fine....as long as copper and all that wasnt added at one point

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

I dont know if copper was added or not, its a pretty old tank. I do know those gators were messy and the tank rarely got cleaned! It was actually a friends tank/gators. My brother used it as a QT rank for his purple tang,halfmoon and my miniatus grouper. The grouper died 3 days after adding it,it ate,but then something happened. The angel got real sick and my brother treated it but I think it killed the crushed coral/rock he had in there causing a die off and killing the angel. The purple tang is still around today. My brother swears the rank caused the deaths, but I think otherwise, plus this is the only 55g available, so looks like I dont have much of a choice. I'm going to scour it out with a full bottle of white distilled vinegar and hope for the best.

 

[emonemo420]

i wish u the best..cant be ne worse then my tanks

 

[Jocephus]

Clean with bleach, then use a dechlorinator. I'd be far more concerned about what the tank was treated with as a QT then anything from your pal's gators.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Yeah, I don't know what exact treatment was used, I don't think copper. Nitrofurazone I believe. I heard copper can be absorbed into the silicone, but doesn't it have to be at a certain level to even cause an effect? I'll have about 150g of water with 400lbs of liverock. I am really nervous about using bleach, what declorinator should I use? I have genesis, just mix that with water and clean it?

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Ok, I am having second thoughts about using this tank. It is really dirty, I think my brothers cat peed in it, I don't want all my hard work and money go down the drain. I'd rather get a new 55g or a used one that I know is safe. Anyone have a tank or know where to get one cheap? Petco is selling them for $120 and said their dollar a gallon sale isn't until July! I can't wait that long for a sump, wonder if I could get a custom one made? Anyone make custom sumps?

Ok, well I am definitely not going to use this 55g. I just don't trust it. So if anyone has a 55g that is safe/clean to use that they can sell, please let me know. I'm considering buying new, I wish Petco had that dollar a gallon sale, but I heard that isn't until July. So please keep a lookout for a nice, clean 55g tank for me, thanks everyone!!!